Improvement in processes and apparatus iforthe manufacture of illuminating-gas



2Sheets--Sheet 1. W. H. St. JOHN.

Process and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Illuminating-Gas.

Patented March23,l8 75.

[727672 for,

if THE GRAPHIC CO.PHOT0#LITH.39&41 PARK PLACLN-K 2 Sheets--Sheet2. W. H. St. JOHN.

P i'ohess' and Mbparatus for the Manufacture of Illuminating-Gas.

Pate nted March 23, 1875..

iffy 62110 THE GRAPH"; C0.NOTO.-LITN.39&4T PARK PLAOLNN.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. sr. JOHN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES AND APPARATUS QFOR- THE MANUFACTURE OF lLLUMlNATlNG-G AS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 161 ,073, dated March 23,1875; application filed September 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. ST. JOHN, 1

of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Process and Apparatus to be used in the Mannfacture of Illuminating-Gas made from petroleum or other oils, of which the following is a specification The object of my invention is to construct a retort, A, of any desired shape and size, set upon an angle, as shown in Figure l, or any other desired angle, arising from the top of the furnace 1 to the center of the brick-work B, thence from that point descending to the top of the furnace 2 on the other side. It is then continued round by the bend O, as shown in Fig. 2, and then rising to the center line of the brick-work B, thence descending to the furnace 1 at the starting-point; said retort being for the purpose of manufacturing illuminating-gas from petroleum or other oils.

This retort is made in sections, and is so constructed that when joined together the surfaces are even, both internally and extennally. This retort A is supported by tiles or bearers to hold it firmly in its place, and is also surrounded by flues D, which conduct the heat from the furnaces 1 and 2, in order to secure the requisite temperature to thoroughly vaporize the petroleum, oils, 8230.

The necessary draft is regulated by the damper E, shown at the top of the brick-work B, where the .excess of heat is allowed to esycape, thus giving draft to the furnaces below.

F is an ordinary siphon or pipe, by which the liquids are introduced into the retort A, where they are immediately converted into a vapor or gas; this gas then rises, or is conducted up the retort to the center line of the brick-work B. It then descends to the furnace 2 on the opposite side, thence around the bend O, to the continuation of the retort A, on the opposite side, as shown in Fig. 2. It then rises to the center line, as before, and thence descends to the furnace 1, where it makes-its exit through the pipe G. The inletpipe or siphon F is surrounded by tile to protect it'from the intense action of the heat. The outlet-pipe G is connected with the apparatus shown in Sheet 2, Fig. 3, at a, which boxes, b and a, through comprises a series of which the gas is passed. The pipes and valves are so arranged that the boxes b and 6 can be worked separately or collectively, as occasion may require.

Fig. 4. shows the internal arrangement of the two first boxes or chambers 11, which are which is formed by perpendicular and horizontal plates 9 g. The horizontal plate 9 supports any desired number of dip -tubes h, which are hermetically sealed which is composed of any material which has an affinity for carbon. This seal produces a reaction upon the retort A, Fig. 1, thereby securing a' more perfect decarbonizing or decomposition of the petroleum, oils, &o. The gas, being forced through the seals, rises to the surface of the liquid, and then passes on and mingles with the coal-gas when used in conjunction with this process. The seals in the series of boxes 0 are regulated to any desired depth by the valves 3. At the bottom of these tubes h is placed a screen or gauzework, j, for the purpose of still further dividing the gas, and also securing a still further deposit of excess of carbon. It is by the action of these series of boxes 6 and e, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, that the specific gravity of the gas is reduced, thereby producing it in a more perfect and permanent condition, rendering it less liable to smoke at the burner; it is then mingled with the ordinary coal-gas, when coal-gas is used in connection herewith, and the gases are then conducted to the scrubbers, purifiers, &c., together for their more perfect mixing. The gas is then ready for use.

Ido not confine myself to a retort, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but consider my invention as covering a series of retorts of any desired shape and size, placed at any desired angle,

ATE '1' =1 ton.

in the liquid, 1

so that the vapor or gas ascends and descends alternately, which may take pl ace any number of times to produce the desired results.

I claim as my invention 1. In the manufacture of illuminating-gas, the process herein described for converting hydrocarbon into gas, consisting of the introduction of the hydrocarbon into a retort or a series of retorts, vaporizing it, and passing it through the retort or retorts, alternately ascending and descending, substantially. as set forth.

2. The process herein described for producing an improved illuminating-gas, consisting in first producing oil-gas and coal-gasin separate retorts, then mixing them, and afterward passing them together through the scrubbing and purifying apparatus, as described.

WM. H. ST. JOHN.

Witnesses:

G. W. SMITH, J r., FRANK 0. WHITE. 

